The instrument Mick Ronson used to define glam rock guitar tone with David Bowie and The Spiders from Mars, now replicated in painstaking detail by Gibson Custom
Gibson Custom has unveiled the ultra-limited Mick Ronson 1968 Les Paul Custom Collector’s Edition guitar, which recreates the legendary guitarist’s most famous instrument in meticulous detail. Long celebrated as a producer, arranger, songwriter, multi‑instrumentalist, and one of rock’s most distinctive guitar voices, Mick Ronson left an indelible mark on modern music—and his stripped‑finish 1968 Les Paul Custom became a defining part of his sound, style, and legacy. Only 100 units are available worldwide via authorized dealers, Gibson Garage locations, and Gibson.com.
In celebration of the launch of this remarkable guitar, Gibson TV sat down for exclusive new interviews with Mick Ronson’s wife, Suzi Ronson, their daughter Lisa, Spandau Ballet guitarist Gary Kemp, and former Spiders from Mars drummer Michael “Woody” Woodmansey to discuss Mick Ronson’s enduring influence and legacy as an artist. Watch the video below.
Mick Ronson defined the image of a 1970s glam-rock guitar god. Best known for his work with David Bowie, Ronson’s esteemed career also saw him work as a producer, arranger, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He shaped recordings not only for Bowie, but also for Pure Prairie League, Ellen Foley, and Roger McGuinn. His session work included collaborations with Bob Dylan, Roger Daltrey, and Van Morrison, and he even co-produced Lou Reed’s seminal Transformer, arranging its string parts and playing piano and guitar on the album. Ronson’s solo career included five studio albums, among them Slaughter on 10th Avenue, which reached the UK Top 10.
Ronson’s work with Bowie on The Man Who Sold the World, Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, and Aladdin Sane cemented his place in rock history. Central to his sound during this time was his beloved 1968 Les Paul Custom, an instrument he stripped of its original Ebony finish, giving it a distinctive look that became synonymous with his identity. Gibson Custom now honors his legacy with this faithful recreation that captures the soul, character, and aesthetic of Ronson’s original Bowie-era guitar.
Every Mick Ronson 1968 Les Paul Custom comes complete with a Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity
The Gibson Custom Mick Ronson 1968 Les Paul Custom Collector’s Edition has been handcrafted in Nashville, Tennessee, using ultra-precise Murphy Lab aging techniques to replicate the original instrument’s wear, feel, and sonic personality. This limited-edition model features a mahogany body with a plain maple cap, a mahogany neck carved to an Authentic ’68 Medium C profile, and an ebony fretboard with mother-of-pearl block inlays.
Its aged gold hardware, including Grover® tuners, ABR-1 bridge, and heavily worn Stop Bar tailpiece, mirrors the look of Mick’s original guitar. Even the mismatched volume and tone knobs have been faithfully reproduced. The unpotted, aged ’68 Custom humbuckers with Alnico 2 magnets are uncovered and deliver the aggressive, expressive tone that defined Ronson’s playing, while CTS® 500k audio taper potentiometers and Black Beauty capacitors provide vintage-accurate response. Each guitar ships in a Custom case featuring a reproduction of Mick Ronson’s signature, along with a replica strap and a Certificate of Authenticity.
Find out more about the Gibson Custom Mick Ronson 1968 Les Paul Custom Collector’s Edition model.
